She slowly put down the receiver.
"Who was it?" asked Akasaka curiously.
With her back towards him, she replied with a question.
"Mamoru-kun, are you willing to go to the ends of the world with me, to revive the nation?"
There was only one reply worth saying.
"Yes, even to hell and back if I have to. Anywhere, everywhere, always."
Akeiko turned around to face him. The fire in her eyes had reignited, radiating the absolute confidence that had been the signature of the Ryumu Sumeragi. In dramatically exaggerated formal tones she spoke.
"Sergeant Akasaka, your loyalty is unquestionable. I appreciate your presence."
But then she slowly approached him, coming close enough for their toes to touch. Looking up into the deep brown eyes, she whispered softly.
"And there is something else....."
Slowly standing up on her toes, she lightly kissed the cool, soft cheek. She then took a step backwards, as her cheek started getting rosy.
"Thanks for the kiss. It was very..... invigorating."
Her face, with eyes closed, beamed with a smile as bright as the sun. She was truly happy, glad that someone in this dark world still cared enough to come all the way to this frozen end of earth for her. Everyghing, the pressure of the world, the depression of failure, was wiped aside, leaving only two young people who were ever so normal, just trying to do what is right. She had Akasaka Mamoru, and knew she would never be lonely again.
And that was something she had always wanted: a companion, someone who she could trust completely.